unique albuquerque farm exhibit to get upgrading

A move is underway to restore and expand the popular 17-acre Heritage Farm exhibit within the Albuquerque BioPark.

That unique exhibit has long featured a farmhouse, orchards, vineyards, and even farm animals as part of a display showing what farm life along the banks of the Rio Grande was like nearly a century ago.

Now, the City of Albuquerque has issued a Request for Proposals asking for architectural services to upgrade the exhibit and make it more user-friendly.

According to city documents, the goal is to create an “interactive, friendly environment for families to learn where food comes from and to showcase sustainable practices.”

Among the challenges of the project is the fact that the site does not currently have WIFI, and is “not well-designed, resulting in people getting lost and missing current attractions.”

There is also insufficient space for educational programs, a lack of food and drink availability, and an unclear entrance to the farm.

The deadline for responses to the RFP is November 1.

The Albuquerque BioPark encompasses Tingley Beach, the Rio Grande Zoo, the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, and the Albuquerque Aquarium.

By Garry Boulard

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